Now Pashhur son of Immer, the priest in charge of the Temple of the LORD, heard what Jeremiah was prophesying. So he arrested Jeremiah the prophet and had him whipped and put in stocks at the Benjamin Gate of the LORD’s Temple. [Jeremiah 20.1-2]
Jeremiah suffered.
But why? As believers, we need to be sensitive and discerning when it comes to suffering.
There is suffering that is clearly defined in Deuteronomy 28 as the result of sin. However, there is also suffering that is associated with doing God's will.
One kind of suffering is for NOT doing God's will and the other is for doing God's will.
The Bible is clear that there is reward for suffering for doing God's will. We might think of this suffering as persecution. Cancer is not persecution. Diabetes and high blood pressure are not persecution either.
As a good foundation, we need to be discerning when it comes to suffering. The lines distinguishing between the two are very clear, but we still have to choose to see them - we still have to believe what the Bible says.
I am ashamed to say that my own current suffering (physical infirmities) is not persecution. I am 100% sure of it. There is no doubt whatsoever.
That's not to say however, that real persecution is not far away.
Father, forgive me for my self-centeredness and pride. Forgive me for pride and greed and lust. I want more of You and Your Word in my life. I want to live by faith because I know that is the ONLY thing that pleases You and therefore gets Your attention.
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